Raiders stun Roosters with 21-20 NRL win

An injury-hit Canberra have kept the Sydney Roosters winless in 2016 with a stunning 21-20 come-from-behind win on Saturday.

Halfback Sam Williams kicked the winning field goal with less than three minutes on the clock to snatch the victory at GIO Stadium, their second in two games of the new NRL season.

The odds were against the Raiders, who trailed 16-6 at halftime and down to just 15 men.

They lost veteran Shaun Fensom in the opening minute to concussion and their third playmaker in two games, Lachlan Croker, to a shoulder injury at the break.

They also were without Joey Leilua who was sinbinned for punching Dylan Napa, Leilua responding to being struck in the face with a swinging arm and left bleeding from the mouth.

The Roosters had dominated much of the game with a glut of possession, scoring three tries in the first half via Latrell Mitchell, Blake Ferguson and Aidan Guerra.

But a double to enforcer Josh Papalii early in the second half got the Raiders back into the game.

After the Roosters hit back on the hour mark through Jayden Nikorima, skipper Jarrod Croker scored and converted to level it up 20-20 with eight minutes to go – minus Leilua.

Trent Robinson’s men had a chance to go in front, but a 40-20 to hooker Josh Hodgson – forced to play in the halves following young Croker’s injury – with less than four minutes remaining put the hosts on the front foot.

Williams, called in to replace the injured Aidan Sezer (eye socket), kicked the winner moments later.

The Raiders, who beat Penrith at home last week, will be sweating on Lachlan Croker’s fitness, however, given the debutant had come in to replace Blake Austin (knee) at five-eighth.

It was the Roosters’ second successive defeat, having been smashed 42-10 by South Sydney in round one.

They haven’t won in the nation’s capital since 2010.

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